Compassion
One of the many remarkable virtues our Lord and Savior radiates is compassion. He teaches us so much about the display of His compassion throughout the gospel accounts.
In Mark 6:33–44, we see a powerful glimpse of the compassionate heart of Jesus. After a time of hard ministry (healing, preaching, rejection, fickle crowds, Herod Antipas feeling threatened, John the Baptist’s death), Jesus invites His disciples to retreat and rest (Mark 6:30–33). But as they withdraw by boat, the crowds anticipate His movements and arrive ahead of Him on foot.
Instead of frustration, Jesus responds with something radically different: compassion. “When Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and He felt compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd ” (Mark 6:34).
According to Merriam-Webster, compassion is "a sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it." The Greek word used in this passage refers to a deep, gut-level empathy. It’s not just a feeling—it moves someone to act.
Even though the crowd was intrusive and self-centered in their pursuit of Jesus for their own needs, He did not turn them away. Instead, His compassion moved Him to teach them many things (Mark 6:34), and then miraculously feed over 5,000 people (not counting women and children—Matt. 14:21) with five loaves and two fish.
What can we learn from Jesus’ display of compassion?
Compassion isn’t hindered by inconvenience. Jesus was tired and grieving, yet He made space for the needs of others. Compassion isn’t convenient, but it is Christlike.
Compassion sees beyond the surface. Jesus saw the spiritual condition of the people—they were like sheep without a shepherd, dependent, defenseless, directionless. He didn't just see a crowd, He saw people with various needs
Compassion moves to loving action. Jesus didn’t just feel sympathetic; He taught, He led, and He fed. Compassion is action-oriented.
Compassion does not require the recipient to deserve it. The crowd may have been self-focused (hungry, wanted to see more miracles), but Jesus loved them anyway. His mercy wasn't based on their worthiness, but rather on His nature.
Compassion reflects the character of God. Jesus embodies the heart of God, who is “merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” (Psalm 103:8). Here’s what is amazing: Jesus extended His tender compassion toward shallow, self-centered, self-indulgent, thrill seekers who He knew would ultimately reject Him. He saw and felt their need and was willing to postpone His!
In a world often hardened by selfishness, Jesus shows us a better way. His compassion teaches us to see people through- the eyes of grace and to act—even when it’s difficult, even when it costs us, even when it is undeserved. That’s the kind of compassion that changes lives.
Who needs the Lord’s compassion around you?
Pastor Jeff
“There’s nothing more dangerous than thinking you’re okay when in fact you’re spiritually blind. That’s the Laodicean problem: complacency fed by prosperity. ”